Saving by Going Solar

President of Madison Earth Care in Madison, Connecticut, Bob Blundon recently
replaced his landscape company's gas-powered weed trimmers and blowers with electric
ones."We're trying to put together a green trailer," he said.
"Instead of going twice a week to the gas station, we’re going once every
two weeks."

A shift to renewable power has been increasingly common for businesses
across the state. "Solar ticked all the boxes," Blundon said.
"Lower maintenance costs, greater reliability, reduced energy bills, less
downtime for broken equipment--it all adds up to savings." The trimmers
and blowers used about $10 a day in gas before; now they cost nothing to run.
The mower would burn about $36 in fuel a day; now on propane, it costs closer
to $22.

Trailer-based solar energy was a first for Aegis Solar Energy, the company
that outfitted Blundon’s vehicles with panels, charging outlets and a lithium
ion battery that holds about two days of sun power. The Stihl electric machines
are lighter too, allowing Blundon’s crew to work for hours without tiring.
"Labor is the most expensive product now," Blundon said. "There
are so many compounded increases in efficiency and labor savings, and that's
where the huge help is."